Two extraordinary men find themselves captivated by a woman of intricate allure, whose heart seems unattainable. These men, driven by their unwavering love, are willing to defy all odds, even if fate conspires against them, in their quest to win her...
The majority of people are inherently good but may occasionally make poor choices. There are those who have a tendency toward bad behavior but make an effort to restrain themselves. On the other hand, there are individuals who are deeply corrupt and show no remorse as long as they can avoid being caught.
Evil, however, is in a league of its own; it is evil that convinces itself that it is actually good. Evil intentions can act as a snare, trapping the one who harbors them.
Elena strolled down the hallway, scrolling through the morning news on her phone, a routine she'd long perfected. But the moment she stepped into her office, she froze. Her brother was sitting at her desk.
A faint chill crept up her spine. Something about the scene felt off, wrong in a way she couldn't quite name. "Axel? What are you doing here, sitting at my desk? Did you get lost or something?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"Oh, hi, sister. I was just waiting for you! Seems like you had quite the night, everyone was looking for you," Axel said, standing up. His grin was sly, mocking, a deliberate jab at the memory of Nonna's birthday.
"Really? I don't remember receiving any calls," Elena replied coolly.
"I meant the staff inside the house, Elena. Lily, Nonna's helper, was looking for you," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Elena rolled her eyes. "And?"
"Yesterday she mentioned that one of the catering workers disappeared. Did that person leave with you?" His gaze locked onto hers, sharp, probing. Elena gave a dismissive laugh, but his next words cut deeper.
"Did you sleep with him too? How promiscuous can you get, Elena? We both know you use sex to escape your problems." Her eyes widened in disbelief, then narrowed with fury. Axel's laughter filled the room, cruel and unrestrained. "You look like you're struggling, going through a rough patch!" he teased.
"And what do you expect me to say? That you enjoy watching me suffer?" she shot back.
"I do, actually," he said, smirking. "It brings me joy, a sense of satisfaction."
Elena raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a taunting smile. "Good. I'm glad we understand each other, brother. I take pleasure in your misery too. Especially knowing how tragic your reality is."
She turned her back to him and crossed to the liquor counter, pouring herself a glass of whiskey. The sound of his footsteps drew closer.
"What tragedy? I don't remember having one," he scoffed.
She turned, lifted her glass, and took a slow sip. "You're laughing, that's good. It's nice to see you're not bothered by the fact that you can't have children."
The smirk vanished from his face. His eyes hardened, his fists clenched.
"I wonder what Dad would say about his heir being unable to give him grandchildren. Who'll carry on our family name?" she said lightly, the venom disguised beneath her smile.
"I don't know what you're implying," he snapped. "I'm perfectly capable of having children."
Elena chuckled and strolled back toward her desk, settling into her chair with a languid grace.
"I doubt that, Axel. Now it all makes sense, your little campaign to undermine me in Dad's eyes. I thought you'd changed five years ago, that you were finally trying to prove yourself. But no, you're just afraid. Afraid Dad would see you for what you are: a disappointment. A son who can't even give him an heir."
Axel's expression twisted with shock and anger, the silence between them stretching taut. "We all know how traditional Dad is," Elena continued, voice like glass. "In his world, a man must be capable, strong, productive, not... feeble. Not barren."
"You knew perfectly well that if you couldn't have children and kept touring with that rock band, Dad would've cut you off!"
"And when your accident left you unable to have kids, you had to find another way to hold on to your fortune and your precious lifestyle!" she shot back, her voice firm, almost triumphant. A beat of silence, then laughter burst out across the room, Axel doubled over, unable to contain himself.
"You're unbelievable! How ridiculous can you get to invent such tales?" He chuckled, casting a playful glance her way.
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"I feel sorry for you, such a pitiful, sorry excuse for a woman," he said, laughing. Elena sat frozen, watching the exchange. Her brother's face had been taut moments ago, now he looked unnaturally relaxed, like someone slipping back into a mask.
"Do you really think that'll make Dad cut ties with me? Are you that foolish?" He crossed the room and leaned against her desk, locking eyes with her.
"You can't touch me. You know that. I've endured your twisted, malicious games for years, but I'm done. I'm done playing." His voice was flat but cold. "There isn't a soul on this planet who doesn't know how wicked you are."
"You tampered with my car that day," he accused, each word another stone. "You tried to murder me. And you blamed me for Father's dog, when it was you who drowned him in the pool."
Elena opened her mouth, then closed it. He kept going, as if she'd already admitted everything. "Always pointing fingers, always manipulating everyone to believe the worst of me. I won't endure it anymore. I'll fight back, I'll play as dirty as you, maybe dirtier."
"Come at me again, sister. I'll find a way to get to you. One way or another." He muttered the last words and left as briskly as he'd arrived, leaving Elena trembling in the hush of the room.
Hi guys, here's a short chapter for you! ✨✨✨ I'm feeling a bit uninspired about this story! Trying my best to continue writing more.
